UTSA Commencement Close-Up: Eduardo Perez, College of Education and Human Development

(Dec. 12, 2013) -- Meet Eduardo Perez. As a bilingual educator, he has seen firsthand the need for Latino male role models in young Latinos' lives.

At 37 years old, Perez already has a solid teaching career with 13 years of experience. But, he knew that earning a master's degree in bicultural-bilingual studies would create opportunities he wouldn't otherwise have.

Perez grew up in a small West Texas town where speaking Spanish was considered a liability rather than an asset. He honed his bilingual skills during his undergraduate studies when he traveled to Mexico and began learning more about his heritage. He will graduate with his master's degree in bicultural-bilingual studies this month.

In bilingual education, a field where women are more commonly found, Perez stands out as a hard worker and classroom community builder, said Patricia Sánchez, associate professor in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies.

"He is a strong voice for bilingualism and biculturalism and I have no doubt he will be a leader at his campus or other workplace in the future," Sánchez added.

Perez now teaches second grade at North East Independent School District, but hopes his master's degree in bicultural-bilingual studies from the College of Education and Human Development will propel him to higher positions in the educational system. Perez says his professors have encouraged him to dream big.

"I can say I'm proud to be a Roadrunner because this university saw something in me," he said.

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Did You Know?

UTSA researcher is a star behind the cloud

A revolution in cloud computing is underway, and Ravi Sandhu believes it will be much bigger than the PC and Internet revolutions that have already changed the way we live. Sandhu, director of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security, says UTSA is taking a leadership role in tackling three fundamental cloud technology problems: how to build and operate the cloud, how to use it profitably for diverse applications and how to keep it secure.

Sandhu, the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Cyber Security in the College of Sciences, and Ram Krishnan, assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UTSA College of Engineering, are funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve cloud security.

Did you know? Sandhu, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert, holds 30 patents, has authored more than 250 papers and been cited more than 30,000 times.

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Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle

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Downtown Campus

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John Peace Boulevard Entrance, Main Campus

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Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.

Meet a Roadrunner

After graduation, Queretaro native founded a music label recognized by SXSW

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

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UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.